Handbag frame



7, 1941. LAUBENSTEIN 2,258,498

HANDBAG FRAME Filed June 15, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR GEORGELAUBENSTE/N ATTORNEYS- G. LAUBENSTEIN HANDBAGFRAME Oct. 7, 1941.

2 Sheets-Shet 2 IIIAQ 9 Filed June 15, 1938 R O T N E V m GEORGELAUBENSTE/N ATTORNEYS- hollow rivet M or the like so that the two members I0 and I0 are hinged together and may be rotated toward or awayfrom each other to close or open the bag.

The inner frame I l similarly is shown as comprised of two U-shapedmembers II and II having channeled or tubular cross sections and whoselegs H and H at their lower ends are provided with ears I5 and I6respectively, adjacent ears being adapted to overlap each other and tobe pivotally connected as by eyelets or hollow rivets II or the like sothat the two members H and II are hinged together and may be rotatedtoward or away from each other to close or open the inner pocketbook orpurse. The customary latching members l8 are provided on the inner framemembers and, likewise, may if desired, be provided on the outer framemembers.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the inner frame II has substantially smalleroverall dimensions than the outer frame I0 so that it will lie whollywithin the completed outer bag when assembled with the outer frame.

For assembly purposes, I provide a group of assembly members for eachend of the two frames. Each group may comprise a connecting or pivot pinmember I9 which has at its opposite ends the reduced portions and 2|whose diameters'are so admeasured as to rotatably fit in and projectthrough the openings I4 and IT in the hollow rivets I4 and ll of therespective outer and inner frames. Thesereduced portions form theshoulders 20 and 2| respectively with the main body of the'pin memberI9. Intermediate. its ends the reduced portion 20 is provided with anannular groove or slot 22 which is so located as to lie on the side ofthe rivet |4 opposite that of the main body of the pin member l9 whenthe latter is in assembled position. A locking member or means in theform of a split ring 23 having a radial split or slot 23 or the like isprovided which is adapted to be mounted on the reduced portion 20 in theslot or groove 22. When so mounted, it serves to lock the pin member l9to the outer frame. The dimensions of the split or slot 23 in the ring23 are somewhat less thanthe diameter of .the pin member I9 in thegroove 22 so that when the ring 23 is slid or forced into place in thesaid roove 22 against the normalspring action of .the material of thering or washer 23, which ma be of metal or other suitable material, saidspring action will prevent the ring from accidentally thereafterbecoming disengaged and lost, and thereby serve to prevent accidentaluncoupling of the member l9 from the frame Ill once it is attachedthereto; Th reduced portion 2| likewise if desired may beprovidedwith'an annular grooveor slot 24 (shown in dotted lines in Fig.2) and a locking ring 23 mounted thereon.

.In practicaframes l0 and and the assembly group members I9 and. 23 areshipped unassembled to the handbag manufacturer by the framemanufacturer and the former either utilizes one or the other of theframes alone for single handbags or may assemble an outer and an innerframe for making a double handbag as follows:

The reduced portion 20 of a pin member I9 is inserted through openingsl4 of each of the hinge members or hollow rivets l4 of th outer frame I0until the annular groove 22 projects on the opposite side of the saidrivets. Then a locking washer or ring 23 is forced into place in theannular groove and serves to lock the pin member IE! to the said outerframe. The outer frame Ill and the inner frace H are each then coveredwith the bag covering materials A and B indicated in Fig. 1. The coveredinner frame is then mounted on the reduced portion 2| of the oppositelyextending pin members l9 previously mounted on the outer frame byslightly and momentarily bowing or bending the inner frame legs II and Hat opposite ends of the inner frame toward each other and allowing thesaid reduced portions 2| of the pin members l9 to slide into theopenings ll of the hollow rivets ll of the said inner frame. Uponrelease of the inner frame legs by the operator, the natural resiliencyof the said frame returns its legs to normal undeformed position so thatthe inner frame is now operatively connected to and mounted on the outerframe In. If desired, to insure permanency of the connection, a lockingring 23 may now be forced into place in the annular groove 24 on thereduced portions 2| of the pin members IS on the, insideof the inner bagframe. Such auxiliary locking is optional. The two frames are now to allpractical purposes permanently connected together and the double bag isready for use.

The method and means described above are particularly advantageous inthat no tools are required for assembly and no interference of any kindwith the individual hinge action of the respective frames occurs.Furthermore, the connection between the two frames is entirelyindipendent of the shape or structure of the bag frames themselves.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive is adapted moreparticularly for use with so-called inverted and rail top frames. 'Suchframes like those of the first described modification may have thegeneral U shape configuration shownin Fig. 5 and in addition havetubular or otherwise channel-shaped cross-section.

In these last-named figures, the outer frame 26 comprises the two hingedmembers 26 and 26 The lower ends of the legs 28 and 26 of each framemember are provided with bent or otherwise curved tubular ears 21 and 28re spectively, which are offset from the leg members into axialalinement, and the axially alined ears of each pair of legs pivotallyjoined together b a pinning member or rivet 29 or the like so,

that the two members 26 and 26 are hinged together and may berotatedtowards or away from each other to close or open the bag.

As the members 26 and 26 are tubular, or channel-shaped, the bottoms orinner Walls 26 of each of a pair of legs of one of the said twomembers26 and 26 substantially adjacent the hinge is provided with theopenings or perforations 30 for a purpose to bepresently described.Spring detent members 3| are suitably mounted as by spot welding .or thelike to the walls 26 of frame member adjacent the. said; openings 30andtion the inner. side ofijthe frame, member, Tl iesegidetentv members".31: serve ,asai locking means. as will bepresjentlycdescribed.

The. inner frame H. is off the sameor similar constructionas thatpreviously, describedlin connection with Fig. .1 corresponding;reference charactersdenotinglihe parts. j For. assemblypurposes; I.provide connecting members for-use assembling and connecting.

ea'c-h'end of the inner frame to the outer frame 26...? Each assemblyl.member. comprises a pivot pin 33 or. the like vvhiclahas projecting fromone end.the reduced portion 34rforming-theshoulder 335 with the main;body, of: the pin 33. xAtits opposite end, pin 33;: isprovided withfa.reduced portion 35 and Fan enlarged head36"at-its, end. The head maybeirounde'd as (at 3.6? or. otherwise suitably shapedto facilitateinsertion into the; openings '30 i (which aresomewhati larger indiameterithan said ,head 36) against the action of spring detent member3f, permitting, the end 3 I of "the latter to ride over and becomeengaged behind the head 36 in the reduced portion.,35, thereby servingto lock. said; pin member 33 to the outer frame when its head is soinserted. If desired, a hole or aperture 31 may be provided in the frameto permit a suitable tool to be used to push the spring and release it.

As before, with this modification, the two frames 26 and II and theassembly pins 33 are shipped independently to the bag manufacturer. He,if desiring to make a double bag, inserts the head 36 of a pin member 33in each of the openings 30 of the outer frame, the spring detent members31 serving to lock it in place as hereinbefore described. Thereafter,the outer and inner frames 26 and II are covered independently with therequired bag material. The covered inner frame is then mounted on thereduced portions 34 of the two oppositely extending pin members 33previously mounted on the outer frame by slightly and momentarily bowingor bending the inner frame legs H and H inwardly and allowing the saidreduced portion to slide into openings l! of the hollow rivets ll of theinner frame. Upon release by the operator, the natural resiliency of thesaid inner frame returns its legs to normal undeformed position so thatthe inner frame is now pivotally connected to the outer frame and itshinges slightly out of line with those of the outer frame. The length ofthe pin members 33 is so admeasured that the mounted inner frame is nowsubstantially permanently connected to and assembled to the outer'frameand the double bag is ready for use.

Locking rings similar to rings 23 of the first modification may beprovided, if desired, and annular grooves (not shown) similar to grooves'24 provided in the reduced portions 34 of the pins 33 whereby suchlocking rings will serve to prevent accidental separation of the mountedinner frame from the outer frame. These locking rings, however, areoptional, since the relative dimensions of pin members 33 and the twoframes normally prevent accidental separation of the parts unlessexcessive inward bending strain is applied to the inner frame legs.

Various other means of mounting the assembly pin 33 to the outer framemay be employed.

For example, in Figs. 8 and 9 the outer frame legs 26 of frame members26 may be provided with the bayonet-type slot 38 formed in the innerfact 26 of the said frame legs. This slot also is. connected with anenlarged opening 38 intheside face 2.66101. the said leg: frame. 216 anditsdimerisions permitiinsertion of the head 36 of the pin33 laterallyinto the saidbayonet-type slot 38. In mounting the said pin, the headthereof isinserted through the. opening381, the reduced portion 36 ofthe pin. moved, laterally into thegbayonetaslot; 38 and: then verticallypast the nose 38 of thesaidaslotandthen laterally so that thesaid-reduced: portion "36iengagesbehind the nose 38%. With thisembodiment,'fthe individual, frame members may be first covered with therequisite 'bag material. Thereafter, pivot pin, or members .33. are:attached tothe inner frames II by inserting. thereduced portions 34-thereQf-intoqthe openings, ll' ofjthe hollow rivets I l and fixing themin place in said rivets by upsetting the rear ends of; said; reduced,portions at 34 in well-known,.manner. Thereafter, the legs of the, innerframe are momentarily bent of{ bowed inwardly and heads 36of. the pins-33 inserted intobayonetetype slots, 38as hereinbefore described. Theresiliency of the inner frame rnaintainsysaid pins 33.1ocked in placein-the said bayonetlslotslbehind.the noses 38? thereof. If desired-, thepins 33'may. be attached to the inner frames as described either by theframe manufacturer, or by the bag manufacturer prior to covering ofeither frame with bag-covering material.

In Figs. 10 and 11 a somewhat modified form of bayonet-type slot isshown provided in place of that of Figs. 8 and 9 which eliminates thenecessity for the side opening 38 of the said Figs. 8 and 9. The curvedslot 40 of this modification has a retaining nose 40 near its closed endand its open end 411 extends to the bottom end of the wall 26 of theframe leg. The said wall end falls sufficiently short of the curved ear2'! to permit the head to be inserted behind the wall 26 and to permitthe reduced portion 36 to be moved in the slot 40 up to and behind thenose 40 The method of assembling and connecting the inner to the outerframe is otherwise similar to that of the next previously describedmodificaions.

It is understood, of course, that spring detent member 3| and opening30- of Figs. 5-7 inclusive as well as the bayonet-type slots 38, etc.,and 40 of Figs. 8 and 9, 10-11 respectively may be provided on the innerframes ll instead of on the outer frames. In such case, the reducedportions 34 of the pin members would be mounted in the openings 29' ofthe rivets 29 rather than as now illustrated and the head 36 would beinserted into openings or bayonet-type slots in the inner frames as iswell understood. In some instances, the frame for the inner purse may becomposed of bars or parts of frame members, such as previouslydescribed. It is not necessary to use a whole frame for the inner purse.

The foregoing methods and means of carrying out my invention serve toprovide savings in shipping costs and distribution costs and bagmanufacturing costs; permit optional use by a bag manufacturer of outerframes independently of inner frames and vice versa; reduce requisitestorage space at both the frame and bag manufacturers plants; permitquick commercial and practicable assembly of double bag frames; andprovide convenient and efficient methods and means of producing doubleor single handbags.

It is to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the exactmethods and means described,

and that various other modifications and changes in method constructionand shapes of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of myinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a double handbag comprising a hinged outer frame, ahinged inner frame and assembly members for attaching said framestogether, at least one of said frames having channeled legs providedwith openings in the bottom portions of the channels and spring leafdetent members each mounted by an end thereof to said channeled legs insaid bottom portions thereof with their other ends each partiallyoverlapping one of said openings, and said assembly members comprisingpin members having reduced portions at opposite ends thereof and aheaded portion at the end of one of reduced portions of each of saidmembers, said headed portions being passed through said openings in saidone of said frames engaged by said detent members to retain said pinmembers normally in permanent attachment with said one of said frames,the other reduced portion of each of said pin members being mounted in ahinge of the other of said two frames, said detent members beingyieldable for disengagement from the heads of said pin members forreplacemerit purposes, and the said one of said frames having openingsfor the insertion of a tool for a releasing operation on said detentmembers.

2. As an article of manufacture, a frame for use in the manufacture ofdouble handbags by the attachment thereto With assembly members of asecond frame, said first-named frame comprising hinged channeledmembers, the legs of one of said channeled members being perforated inthe bottom portions of the channels, and detent members mounted on saidlegs on said bottom portions adjacent the perforations and partiallyoverlapping said perforations, said detent members serving for removablyengaging and normally retaining headed portions of said assembly membersadapted to be inserted in said perforations whereby the two frames maybe connected together, and said bottom portions of the channels havingadditional perforations lying between those first mentioned and themounted portions of said members for the insertion of a tool todisengage said detent members from said assembly members.

GEORGE LAUBENSTEIN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,258,l .98. October 7 19in.

GEORGE LAUBENS'I'EIN It is hereby certified that error appears in theprinted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correctionas follows: Page 2, secand column, line 16, for "frace" read --frame--;page 5, second eollimn, line 2-1, for "of'f after "bent" read-or-; pageit, first column, line 19, claim 1, before the word "members" insert--pin-; and that the said Letters Patent shofild be read with thiscorrection therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Office.

'lsigned and sealed this 18th day of November, A. D. 19m.

I Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

